JP2013142977A - Communication device, communication method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process a task requiring client server type communication as quickly and efficiently as possible in a communication device performing peer-to-peer type communication and the client server type communication by switching them.SOLUTION: A projector device 100 is a communication device including communication means for performing communication by selectively switching a first mode for performing peer-to-peer type communication and a second mode for performing client server type communication. In the projector device 100, when a task requiring data communication with a prescribed external device occurs (S101), the state of the communication means is referred to. When it is determined that the communication means is in operation in the first mode, the task is stored in storage means without trying the execution of the task (S102). When it is determined that the communication means transfers to an operation in the second mode, the stored task is executed (S104, S106).

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus that switches between peer-to-peer communication and client-server communication, a communication method in such a communication apparatus, and a program for causing a computer to function as such a communication apparatus.

  Conventionally, as seen in, for example, Patent Document 1, a remote management system is known in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses arranged in a user environment and a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatuses communicate via the Internet. . In such a remote management system, an intermediary device that mediates communication between the image forming device and the management device is provided in the user environment, and the image forming device and the management device communicate with each other via the mediation device. It is known to do.

  As a communication technique, there is also known a communication means capable of switching between peer-to-peer communication and client-server communication via an access point.

  Incidentally, a device that accepts communication from many terminal devices, such as the management device described in Patent Document 1, is usually configured to perform client-server communication. Therefore, when the terminal device uses a communication interface that switches between peer-to-peer communication and client-server communication via an access point, communication with the management device is not possible during peer-to-peer communication. There was a problem that could not be done.

On the other hand, when the terminal device is provided with a function for periodically notifying the management device, regardless of the mode in which the terminal device is communicating, the task that requires communication with the management device is Will occur. However, if peer-to-peer communication is in progress, the task cannot be executed immediately.
In such a case, if a hierarchical communication protocol such as that found in the OSI reference model is used, an application that realizes the notification function only requests communication with a lower protocol and receives a response indicating that communication is impossible. It becomes. Therefore, in order to reliably execute the notification, the retry is repeated until communication is possible.

However, while peer-to-peer type communication is being performed, communication is not possible no matter how many times it is executed, so even if frequent retries are repeated during that time, the processing load only increases. On the other hand, if the retry interval is long, notification cannot be made promptly even if communication is possible.
Such a problem occurs in the same way when a task requiring client-server type communication is executed by automatic control even if the communication destination is not a management device or the task is not a notification. is there.

  The present invention solves such problems, and in a communication apparatus that switches between peer-to-peer communication and client-server communication, a task that requires client-server communication can be processed as quickly and efficiently as possible. The purpose is to do so.

  In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to the present invention comprises a communication means for performing communication by selectively switching between a first mode for performing peer-to-peer communication and a second mode for performing client-server communication. When a task that requires data communication between a storage unit that stores tasks and a predetermined external device occurs, the state of the communication unit is referred to and it is determined that the task is operating in the first mode. The task is stored in the storage means without attempting to execute the task, and the task stored in the storage means is executed when it is determined that the communication means shifts to the operation in the second mode. And task management means.

  According to the above configuration, in a communication apparatus that switches between peer-to-peer communication and client-server communication, a task that requires client-server communication can be processed as quickly and efficiently as possible. be able to.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a structure of the remote management system containing the to-be-managed apparatus which is embodiment of the communication apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the physical structure in the mediation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a physical structure in the management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a physical configuration in a projector apparatus which is an example of a managed apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and a configuration of a functional unit realized by processing of a CPU in a controller board. It is a flowchart which shows the process which CPU of the projector apparatus shown in FIG. 4 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the other process. It is a flowchart which shows the further another process. It is a flowchart which shows the further another process. It is a figure which shows the operation example of communication with the projector apparatus and management apparatus which perform the process of FIG.5 and FIG.6.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a configuration of a remote management system including a managed device which is an embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention.
The remote management system of this embodiment includes a projector device, an image processing device such as a printer, a facsimile (FAX) device, a digital copying machine, a scanner device, a digital multifunction device, a network home appliance, a vending machine, a medical device, and a power supply device. , An electronic device (communication device) having a communication function (communication means) in a measurement system such as an air conditioning system, gas, water supply, electricity, etc. and a managed device 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) Remote management system.

In addition, this remote management system is a remote management that can communicate with the managed device 10 via a wireless local area network (wireless LAN) as an external device connected to the managed device 10 (as viewed from the managed device side). An intermediary device 101 (101a, 101b, 101c), which is an intermediary device, is provided.
The remote management system further includes a management device 102 that functions as a server device connected to the mediation device 101 via a public line (telephone line) 103 or the Internet 112.

This remote management system enables the management apparatus 102 to centrally manage each managed apparatus 10 via the mediation apparatus 101 in a centralized manner.
The intermediary device 101 and the managed device 10 have various hierarchical structures depending on the usage environment.
The public line 103 includes a fixed telephone line such as an analog line, an ADSL line, a digital line (ISDN line), and an optical fiber use line, and a mobile telephone line such as a mobile phone line and a PHS line.

For example, in the installation environment A shown in FIG. 1, the intermediary device 101a that can establish a direct connection with the management device 102 by HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) has a simple hierarchical structure that follows the managed devices 10a and 10b. .
However, in the installation environment B shown in FIG. 1, since four managed devices 10 are installed, the load increases only by installing one intermediary device 101.

Therefore, the intermediary device 101b that can establish a direct connection with the management device 102 by HTTP follows not only the managed devices 10c and 10d but also another intermediary device 101c, and the intermediary device 101c uses the managed devices 10e and 10f. Furthermore, a hierarchical structure is formed in which it can be followed.
In this case, the information issued from the management device 102 for remotely managing the managed devices 10e and 10f is managed by the managed device 10e or 10f via the mediation device 101b and the mediation device 101c which is a lower node. Will be reached.

Further, as in the installation environment C, managed devices with an intermediary function (hereinafter also simply referred to as “managed devices”) 11a and 11b in which the managed device 10 is also provided with the functions of the intermediary device 101 are separately provided as intermediary devices. The management apparatus 102 may be connected via the Internet 112 connected via a wireless LAN adapter apparatus (not shown).
As for the managed device with mediation function 11, these units may be simply added to the managed device 10 in order to realize the function of the mediation device 101.

Alternatively, the functions of the intermediary device 101 can be realized by using hardware resources such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM provided in the managed device 10 and causing the CPU to execute appropriate applications and program modules.
Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, a managed device equivalent to the managed device 10 can be further connected to a lower level of the managed device 11 with a mediation function.

The dial-up server 111 is a relay device, and connects the management device 102 and the mediation device 101 or the managed device 11 so that they can communicate with each other via the public line 103 (may be a dedicated line) and the Internet 112.
For example, a request (communication request with the management apparatus 102) from the intermediary apparatus 101 or the managed apparatus 11 is negotiated with the request source via the public line 103 (communication information exchange), via the public line 103 and the Internet 112. Then, the request source and the management apparatus 102 are communicably connected (the communication between the request source and the management apparatus 102 is made possible).

In each of the installation environments A, B, and C, a firewall 104 (104a, 104b, 104c) is installed in consideration of security.
The firewall 104 is configured by a proxy server.

In such a remote management system, the intermediary device 101 has an application program for control management of the managed device 10 connected thereto.
The management apparatus 102 is mounted with an application program for performing control management of each intermediary apparatus 101 and further performing control management of the managed apparatus 10 via the intermediary apparatus 101.
Then, each of these nodes in this remote management system including the managed device 10 transmits a “request” which is a request for processing for a method of the application program to be implemented by RPC (remote procedure call). The “response” that is the result of the processed processing can be acquired.

That is, the intermediary device 101 or the managed device 10 connected thereto can generate a request to the management device 102 and pass it to the management device 102 to obtain a response to this request, while the management device 102 A request to the mediating apparatus 101 is generated and delivered to the mediating apparatus 101, and a response to the request can be acquired.
This request includes causing the mediation device 101 to transmit various requests to the managed device 10 and obtaining a response from the managed device 10 via the mediation device 101.

  In order to realize RPC, known protocols (communication standards) such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), HTTP, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), COM (Component Object Model), CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture), etc. , Technology, specifications, etc. can be used.

Next, a data transmission / reception procedure between the managed device 10 and the management device 102 will be described.
(A) Data transmission / reception procedure when a request to the management apparatus 102 occurs in the managed apparatus 10 In the data transmission / reception model of (A), the managed apparatus 10 generates a managed apparatus side request, which is sent to the mediation apparatus 101. The management apparatus 102 received via the procedure returns a response to this request. In this case, a case where there are a plurality of mediation apparatuses 101 can be assumed (installation environment B in FIG. 1).

  In the data transmission / reception procedure (A), not only a response but also a response delay notification can be returned. When the management apparatus 102 receives a managed apparatus side request via the intermediary apparatus 101 and determines that the response to the request cannot be returned immediately, it notifies the response delay notification and temporarily disconnects the connection state. This is because the response to the request is delivered again at the next connection.

(B) Data transmission / reception procedure when a request to the managed device 10 is generated in the management device 102 In the data transmission / reception procedure in (B), the management device 102 generates a management device side request, which is transmitted via the mediation device 101. The managed device 10 received in this manner returns a response to the request.
In the data transmission / reception procedure (B), the response delay notification is returned when the response cannot be returned immediately, as in the data transmission / reception procedure (A).

Next, the physical configuration of the mediation apparatus 101 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a physical configuration in the mediation apparatus 101.
The intermediary device 101 includes a CPU 31, DRAM 32, flash ROM 33, card memory controller 34, card memory 35, real time clock circuit (RTC) 37, modem 38, NCU (network control device) 39, wireless network interface card (NIC) 40, NIC 41. , And a power circuit 42.

The CPU 31 is a central processing unit that performs overall control of the entire mediating apparatus 101, and implements various functions described below by executing various programs including an OS (operation system) in the DRAM 32. This function includes control of transmission / reception of various data (or signals) between the management device 102 and the managed devices 10 and 11 via the public line 103 or the Internet 112 by the NCU 39 or the wireless NIC 40 or NIC 41. It is.
The DRAM 32 is a main memory used as a program memory for storing various programs including the OS, a work memory used when the CPU 31 performs data processing, and the like. An SRAM may be used instead of the DRAM 32.

The flash ROM 33 includes a program memory for storing a boot program, transmission data from one to the other of the management apparatus 102 and each projector apparatus 100 described later, regular notification information from the projector apparatus 100 described later, and automatic error notification information. It is a non-volatile memory (non-volatile storage means) used as a database (DB) for storing various types of information, and holds stored contents even when the power is turned off.
Instead of the flash ROM 33, another nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used.

The card memory controller 34 controls reading / writing of various data with respect to the card memory 35.
The card memory 35 is a recording medium (nonvolatile storage means) such as an SD memory, and records various programs such as an OS, a driver, and an application.
This program may be stored in the flash ROM 33.
Further, an HDD may be provided and the program may be stored in the HDD.

The real-time clock circuit 37 generates time information, and the CPU 31 can read the current time to know the current time.
The modem 38 is modulation / demodulation means. When transmitting data to the management apparatus 102 via the public line 103, the modem 38 modulates the data so that the data can flow through the public line 103.
Further, when the modem 38 receives the modulated data sent from the management apparatus 102, the modem 38 demodulates the data.

The NCU 39 controls communication (data transmission / reception) with various external devices including the management device 102 or an external communication device (general telephone or facsimile device) via the public line 103. Therefore, the function as the external communication device connection means can be realized.
The wireless NIC 40 and the NIC 41 communicate with other electronic devices including each projector device 100 to be remotely managed on a LAN (or other network), a firewall 104, or a management terminal using a personal computer (not shown). Communication control including control of communication with various external devices including the management device 102 via the firewall 104 and the Internet 112. Therefore, the function as the connection means can be realized.

The power supply circuit 42 converts AC power (commercial power) from the AC adapter 43 into DC power and supplies it to the above-described units in the mediation apparatus 101.
Here, the modem 38 and the CPU 31 are used for transmission data (TX), reception data (RX) data lines, transmission enable signal (CTS), transmission request signal (RTS), data set ready signal (DSR), carrier detection. They are connected by signal lines (DCD).

The modem 38 controls according to a transmission request signal (RTS) and a carrier detection signal (DCD) from the CPU 31.
The NCU 39 and the modem 38 are connected by signal lines for reception data (RXD) and transmission data (TXD).
The reception data (RXD) is an analog signal modulated by the modem of the management apparatus 102, and the transmission data (TXD) is an analog signal modulated by the modem 38.

The CPU 31 controls the card memory controller 34 to read various programs including the OS in the card memory 35 according to the boot program in the flash ROM 33 when the power is turned on (power is turned on from the power circuit 42). Install in program memory.
Then, it operates in accordance with the various programs (the various programs are selectively executed as necessary), and the real-time clock circuit 37, modem 38, NCU (network control unit) 39, wireless NIC 40, and NIC 41 are provided as necessary. Use selectively.

Next, the physical configuration of the management apparatus 102 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example in the management apparatus 102.
The management device 102 includes a modem 601, a communication terminal 602, a proxy server 603, an operator terminal 604, a database 605, a control device 606, and the like.
The modem 601 communicates with the mediation device 101 on the device user side (for example, a user destination using the projector device 100) via the public line 103, and modulates and demodulates data to be transmitted and received.
The communication terminal 602 controls communication by the modem 601.

The proxy server 603 performs communication and security management with the mediation device 101 or the projector device 100 on the device user side via the Internet 112.
The operator terminal 604 accepts input of various types of data by operations on an input unit such as a keyboard and a pointing device (such as a mouse) by an operator.
The database 605 exists in a storage device such as a hard disk device of a server (not shown), receives data from the mediation device 101 and the projector device 100 on each device user side, and receives data from the projector device 100 described later received via the mediation device 101. Various information such as periodic notification information, automatic error notification information, data input from the operator terminal 604, and various data such as programs are stored.

The predetermined area of the database 605 has a parameter setting area and stores various parameters including line parameters.
The control device 606 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls the entire management device 102 in an integrated manner.
The CPU operates in accordance with the above program (executes the above program as necessary), and implements various functions by selectively using the modem 601, the communication terminal 602, or the proxy server 603 as necessary. can do.

Here, the line parameters will be briefly described.
Note that some of the line parameters stored in the parameter setting area are also stored in the flash ROM 33 of the intermediary device 101 (or the managed device 11).
The line parameters include server information (IP address of mediation apparatus 101, default gateway address, presence / absence of DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) specification, subnet mask, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server name, mail address of management apparatus 102, SMTP address and password) and proxy information (proxy IP address or proxy address).

  In addition, a proxy authentication key that is an authentication key to the proxy, an HTTP polling mode, a polling interval (normal and abnormal) of the management apparatus 102, PPP information (PB (Push Button) or DP (Dial Pulse), etc.) There is network environment information (network environment parameters) that is secret information related to the network environment, such as information, the number of polling with the management apparatus 102 and the polling interval).

Furthermore, there is management target information (management target parameter) that is secret information for the management target such as the IP address and model number of the managed device 10.
This management target information is transmitted from the mediation apparatus 101 to the management apparatus 102 via the public line 103, and is input to the mediation apparatus 101 from a terminal device (user / CE terminal) or the CPU 31 of the mediation apparatus 101. Is acquired (collected) from the managed device 10 and written to the flash ROM 33.

  Also, the route (using Proxy or PPP (Point to Point Protocol)), the IP address of the management device 102, the authentication key or URL (uniform resource locator) of the mediation device 101, the port number, the timeout time, the periodic notification interval, the management device Network environment information such as a telephone number 102, a telephone number of the mediation apparatus 101, a dial-up authentication key from the mediation apparatus 101 to the management apparatus 102, and a dial-up authentication key from the management apparatus 102 to the mediation apparatus 101.

  This network environment information is transmitted from the management apparatus 102 to the mediation apparatus 101 via the public line 103 or the Internet 112, and is stored in advance in the parameter setting area of the database 605 of the management apparatus 102 or the operator terminal 604. Is written in the parameter setting area of the database 605 by the control device 606.

Next, the CPU 31 of the mediation apparatus 101 acquires, for example, periodic notification information and error notification information of the managed apparatus 10 by SNMP, and writes and sets them in the flash ROM 33.
Further, when network environment information is input from a terminal device or the like by an operator's operation, the network environment information is also written in the flash ROM 33 and set.
Here, “SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)” is a protocol for monitoring and controlling communication devices connected to a network such as a router, a computer, and a terminal in a TCP / IP network.

Next, a projector device which is one of specific examples of the managed devices 10 and 11 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a physical configuration in the projector apparatus and a configuration of functional units realized by processing of the CPU in the controller board.
A projector apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4 is an image display apparatus that irradiates a screen as a projection surface with a video based on image data and projects and displays an enlarged image on the screen.

  The projector apparatus 100 includes various units including a controller board 200, an HDD (hard disk drive) 201, an NV-RAM (nonvolatile RAM) 202, a wireless communication module 204, an operation panel 205, a projection engine 206, and a power supply unit 207. ing.

Each of these units is a hardware resource in the projector device 100.
Here, the controller board 200 corresponds to a control means, and includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. For example, the controller board 200 controls operations of other units via a PCI-BUS (Peripheral Components Interconnect-Bus). ing.
The HDD 201 is a storage unit (recording medium) that stores and saves various types of information regardless of the power supply from the power supply unit 207.

The NV-RAM 202 is a nonvolatile storage means, and a nonvolatile RAM in which a backup circuit using RAM and a battery is integrated, or a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory can be used. The NV-RAM 202 corresponds to storage means for storing a communication task that can extend the execution time described later.
The RAM in the controller board 200 is a volatile storage unit that stores and saves information only during power supply from the power supply unit 207.
The wireless communication module 204 corresponds to a communication unit and performs communication with the outside, and corresponds to, for example, a communication board.

The wireless communication module 204 is a communication unit for performing wireless communication with an external device. In addition, communication in an infrastructure mode (second mode) in which client-server type communication is performed with an external device via an access point and a LAN or other network, and peer-to-peer type communication with an external device without passing through an access point. Communication in ad hoc mode (first mode) in which communication is performed can be arbitrarily switched and executed. More specifically, the wireless communication module 204 performs communication in the ad hoc mode when the ad hoc mode is set, and otherwise (after the ad hoc mode is set and after the ad hoc mode is canceled). Communication in infrastructure mode.
The operation panel 205 is an operation means including an operation unit having various operation keys (also referred to as operation switches or operation buttons) and a display unit having an LCD or CRT character display.

Here, ENGRDY in FIG. 4 is a signal line for notifying the controller board 200 that various initial settings on the projection engine 206 side have been completed and preparation for transmission / reception of commands with the controller board 200 is completed.
PWRCTL is a signal line for controlling the power supply unit 207 to supply power to the projection engine 206 from the controller board 200 side.
The projection engine 206 includes a lamp 208, a sensor 209, and a cooling unit 210.
The lamp 208 is a light source that irradiates a screen as a projection surface with an image and projects and displays an enlarged image on the screen.

The sensor 209 is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the lamp 208, a sensor for detecting the operating time of the lamp 208, and a sensor for detecting a predetermined event such as an abnormality (lamp abnormality, cooling fan abnormality) in the projection engine 206. And have.
The cooling unit 210 is a device that cools the lamp 208 that has reached a high temperature. For example, a cooling fan that blows and cools the lamp 208, a Peltier element that is in contact with the lamp 208, and cooling by energizing the Peltier element There is a cooling device that cools the lamp 208 according to the effect.
The power supply unit 207 is a power supply device that supplies power to each unit in the projector device 100.

Next, main functional units realized by processing of the CPU in the controller board 200 of the projector device 100 will be described.
The software executed by the CPU of the projector device 100 includes a top-level application module layer and a service module layer below it.
The software of the application module layer is configured by a program for causing the CPU to function as a plurality of application control means (processing execution means) that realizes a predetermined function by operating hardware resources.

The service module layer software interposes the CPU between the hardware resources and each application control means, receives operation requests for the hardware resources from a plurality of application control means, arbitrates the operation requests, and The program is configured to function as service control means (process execution means) that performs execution control of an operation based on the operation request.
The programs constituting these software are stored in the HDD 201 and the RAM on the controller board 200, read as necessary, and executed by the CPU on the controller board 200.

Then, the CPU executes these programs as necessary, thereby enabling the system control unit 211, the user interface unit 212, the mediating device communication function unit 213, the management device communication function unit 214, and the mode shown in FIG. Each functional unit of the control unit 215 and the task management unit 216 is realized.
The system control unit 211 is responsible for overall control of the projector device 100, and includes a task execution procedure for executing a communication task using the anti-mediation device communication function unit 213 or the anti-management device communication function unit 214, and a user interface unit 212. When a power-off operation for the device itself is received from the operation panel 205, the power supply control procedure for stopping the power supply of the power supply unit 207 after the cooling unit 210 performs the cooling operation of the lamp 208 is executed.

The system control unit 211 performs startup control and termination control of the projector device 100, control of the projection engine 206, and control of the NV-RAM 202.
In addition, a message transmission request is made to the intermediary device communication function unit 213 and the management device communication function unit 214, and the received message is interpreted by the intermediary device communication function unit 213 and the management device communication function unit 214, respectively. Execute each control according to the message contents.
Further, each control is performed in response to a request from the user interface unit 212.

The mode control unit 215 has a function of switching between allowing the wireless communication module 204 to perform ad hoc mode communication or infrastructure mode communication. In addition, the wireless communication module 204 also has a function of managing the communication state (whether connection with the access point is established, connection status to the network, etc.).
Note that switching between the ad hoc mode and the infrastructure mode may be performed according to a user operation or according to a request from an external device. As an application of the ad hoc mode, it is conceivable to receive display image data from a nearby PC without going through a network. The infrastructure mode can be used for communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102, but it is also conceivable to obtain display image data from another apparatus via a network.

The task management unit 216 has a function of managing tasks executed by the projector device 100. Among them, as a function related to the feature of this embodiment, when a task requiring data communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102 occurs, the state of the mode control unit 215 is referred to, and the wireless communication module 204 When it is determined that the device is operating in the ad hoc mode, the task is stored in a storage unit provided in a predetermined memory. In addition, when it is detected that the wireless communication module 204 has shifted to the operation in the infrastructure mode, it also has a function of executing the task stored in the storage unit.
That is, this task management unit 216 functions as a task management unit.

Next, an example of a task that requires data communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102 will be described.
Various tasks that require data communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102 occur at any time during startup of the projector apparatus 100.

As an example of such a task, there is a task of notifying automatic error notification information that is immediately notified to the management apparatus when an error occurs in the projector apparatus 100.
The automatic error notification information includes information such as “lamp abnormality”, “projector apparatus main body high temperature abnormality”, “projector apparatus internal cooling fan abnormality”, “projector apparatus main body internal abnormality”, and “power-on memory reading abnormality”.

The lamp error automatic notification information is created by the system control unit 211 based on the detection result of the lamp 208 on / off abnormality from the sensor 209.
Further, the projector apparatus main body high temperature abnormality error automatic notification information is created when the system control unit 211 detects the temperature detection result in the projection engine 206 from the sensor 209 exceeds a predetermined temperature.
Further, the temperature in the apparatus is detected by temperature sensors provided at various locations in the projector apparatus 100 (not shown), and the system control unit 211 also allows the projector to operate even when the detected temperature of any one of the temperature sensors indicates an abnormality. Create automatic error report information for high temperature abnormalities of the device.

The projector apparatus internal cooling fan abnormality error automatic notification information is created by the system control unit 211 based on the detection result of the abnormality of the cooling unit 210 from the sensor 209.
The projector apparatus body internal abnormality error automatic notification information is detected by the system control unit 211 by detecting an abnormality of each part in the apparatus by sensors provided in various places in the projector apparatus 100 (not shown). When the sensor in FIG. 6 shows an abnormality, the sensor is created to indicate an abnormality in a portion corresponding to the sensor.

The error automatic notification information of memory reading abnormality when the power is turned on is created when the system control unit 211 detects an error when reading the RAM, NV-RAM 202, and HDD 201.
The task of notifying this error automatic notification information is difficult to predict when it will occur, and is highly urgent.

As another example of a task that requires data communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102, the projector apparatus 100 periodically notifies the management apparatus of information related to the own apparatus (for example, once a day). There is a notification task.
Information to be periodically notified includes “product name of the projector device 100”, “serial number of the projector device 100”, “model number of the projector device 100”, and “engine number of the projection engine mounted on the projector device 100”. , “The number of lamps mounted on the projector device 100”.

  In addition, information to be periodically notified includes “the version of software installed in the ROM of the main board (controller board) mounted on the projector device 100” and “the main board (controller board) mounted on the projector device 100”. "The version of the standby software installed in the ROM" and "the software version installed in the ROM of the network board mounted on the projector apparatus 100".

Further, “digital certificate of projector device 100”, “lamp operating time that is the lamp lighting time of projector device 100”, “total time that is the total usage time of projector device 100 (cumulative operating time)”, “projector” total economy mode lamp operation time is lamp mentioned time in eco mode of the device 100 "," CO ₂ emission eco mode from carbon dioxide emissions in the normal mode of the projector device 100 (CO ₂₎ There is also a “CO ₂ reduction amount indicating a value obtained by subtracting“.

“Lamp reset count indicating the number of times the lamp usage time has been reset in the projector device 100”, “Lamp tolerance time when the projector device 100 is operated with the lamp power in the standard mode (standard operation)”, “ There are also lamp tolerance time when operating with lamp power in eco mode (when eco mode is operating), “air filter usage time of projector device 100 (consumable usage time)”, and the like.
Such information may be stored in the NV-RAM 202 in a table format, for example.

Further, for parameters that require measurement or calculation such as the lamp lighting time, values measured or calculated during operation by the system control unit 211 can be stored in the NV-RAM 202 in a table format.
Further, the task can include a task created by the user while the projector apparatus 100 is in operation.

Next, of the functions of the task management unit 216 of the projector device 100, processing corresponding to the functions of this embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing processing executed by the CPU of the projector device 100 of FIG.

  When the CPU of the projector apparatus 100 detects the occurrence of a task that requires data communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102, the process shown in FIG. 5 is started. Which task requires data communication can be identified by the task name or the like. Basically, the projector device 100 is managed by a specific management device 102, and the mediation device 101 responsible for mediation of communication with the management device 102 is also the specific mediation device 101, and is frequently changed. Never happen. The address of the intermediary device 101 or the management device 102 to be communicated to receive remote management is registered in the projector device 100 in advance.

  First, in step S1, the state of the mode control unit 215 is referred to. The wireless communication module 204 automatically starts communication in the infrastructure mode when the ad hoc mode is canceled. However, when the ad hoc mode is operating, the mode control unit 215 holds the status indicating the state. For example, the task management unit 216 can determine whether or not the wireless communication module 204 is operating in the ad hoc mode by referring to the status.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication module 204 is operating in the ad hoc mode. When the wireless communication module 204 is not operating in the ad hoc mode (in the case of “N”), that is, when operating in the infrastructure mode, In step S3, processing related to the detected task is executed (passed to the module responsible for execution), and the processing in FIG.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the device is operating in the ad hoc mode (in the case of “Y”), the detected task data is stored in the storage means queue in step S4, and the processing of FIG.

  Here, if the determination in step S2 is Yes, there is no expectation of success even if a task that requires data communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102 is executed, so execution is not attempted from the viewpoint of processing load. It is preferable to accumulate in In addition, while the wireless communication module 204 is operating in the ad hoc mode, it is preferable that no retry is attempted because the stored task is unlikely to succeed.

In addition, when the CPU of the projector device 100 determines that the wireless communication module 204 shifts to the operation in the infrastructure mode, the CPU starts the process illustrated in the flowchart of FIG.
In this process, first, in step S11, it is determined whether there is a task accumulated in the queue in step S4 of FIG. If so, the tasks are sequentially executed in step S12, and the process is terminated. If there is no accumulated task, the process is terminated as it is.

  When the CPU of the projector device 100 executes the above-described processes of FIGS. 5 and 6, if the task that requires data communication is not expected to succeed even during communication in the ad hoc mode, the task is executed. Never run unnecessarily. Therefore, the task processing load in the projector device 100 can be kept low.

Further, when the communication in the infrastructure mode becomes possible or is expected to be possible, the task whose execution has been postponed can be quickly executed. Therefore, task execution is not delayed more than necessary. It is also possible to generate tasks and collect data to be notified along with them even during communication in ad hoc mode. Accordingly, even if communication is not possible up to this part, the task can be executed more quickly when communication is possible.
In other words, tasks that require client-server communication can be processed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Note that the determination regarding the shift to the operation in the infrastructure mode may be determined to be performed when the communication in the infrastructure mode is actually started.
However, the wireless communication module 204 automatically starts communication in the infrastructure mode when the ad hoc mode is canceled as described above. Therefore, when it is detected that the ad hoc mode is released, it can be determined that the operation shifts to the operation in the infrastructure mode.

The determination based on such a standard has the following advantages.
First, considering the actual usage mode of the projector device 100, when the user uses the projector device 100 in the ad hoc mode, the user often cancels the ad hoc mode when the purpose of use is achieved. However, not only that, but because the purpose of use has been achieved, there are many cases in which the power is turned off almost simultaneously with the release of the ad hoc mode, or the power is turned off in the ad hoc mode. However, if the power is turned off, the opportunity to execute the accumulated task is lost until the next power is turned on.

  Under such assumptions, even when the power is turned off after canceling the ad hoc mode, the connection time in the infrastructure mode is very short (for example, several seconds until the power is turned off). Therefore, various ideas are required to execute more accumulated tasks more quickly.

On the other hand, it is said that it usually takes several seconds to start the infrastructure mode, search for an access point in the infrastructure mode, and establish a connection. It is said that more time is required depending on the radio wave conditions at the installation location and security settings.
Therefore, by starting the task execution triggered by the release of the ad hoc mode, it is possible to start the execution of the infrastructure from the release of the ad hoc mode compared to the case of starting the task execution triggered by the start of the infrastructure mode communication. More tasks can be executed in a short time using the time until the communication in the structure mode is started.

  In addition, based on the same concept, not only the release of ad hoc mode, but also the detection of a predetermined event that triggers the release of ad hoc mode, such as an operation event for releasing ad hoc mode, It may be determined that the operation is to be performed.

It may take several seconds from the detection of the ad hoc mode release event to the actual completion of the ad hoc mode release. By doing this, the infrastructure mode communication is performed after the ad hoc mode release event is detected. The time until is started can be used more efficiently by preparing for task execution. Therefore, there is an advantage that more tasks can be executed more quickly than when the task is started after waiting for detecting that the ad hoc mode is actually released.
Events that can be used for similar determination include a power-off event and an event for switching to the infrastructure mode. This is because these events are premised on the cancellation of the ad hoc mode.

  Further, if the processing of FIGS. 5 and 6 is executed, the task can be executed without any problem even if the address of the projector device 100 is different between when the task is generated and when it is executed. Therefore, even a device such as the projector device 100 that is carried to various places and has the possibility of communicating with various access points, is notified using the environment at the time when the operation in the infrastructure mode is started. It can be performed.

Next, of the functions of the task management unit 216 of the projector device 100, another process corresponding to the functions of this embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing processes corresponding to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 executed by the CPU of the projector device 100 of FIG.
When the CPU of the projector device 100 detects the occurrence of a task that requires data communication with the mediation device 101 or the management device 102 as in the case of FIG. 5, it starts the processing shown in FIG. 7.

  First, in step S21, the state of the mode control unit 215 is referred to. Here, it is assumed that the mode control unit 215 provides the operation state and setting state of the wireless communication module 204 so that they can be referred to from a process corresponding to the function of the task management unit 216. The information to be provided includes, for example, whether it is communicating in ad-hoc mode, communicating in infrastructure mode, or whether the access point is available (authentication is normally performed) or what network is connected It is conceivable.

  Then, in step S22, the CPU determines whether or not the wireless communication module 204 is communicable with a communication destination necessary for executing the detected task based on the information referred to in step S21. For example, if the task requires communication with the intermediary device 101 arranged in the LAN, it can be determined that communication is possible if the access point can be used. If it is a task that requires communication with the management apparatus 102 arranged outside the LAN, it is determined that communication is possible if the access point can be used and the access point can access the Internet. Can do.

In step S22, it is not necessary to confirm whether data can be actually transmitted / received to / from the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102 and whether authentication can be received. What is necessary is just to judge whether it is a state which can access the mediation apparatus 101 and the management apparatus 102 from the operation state and setting state of the wireless communication module 204 which the mode control part 215 provides.
If communication is possible (in the case of “Y”), the process related to the detected task is executed (passed to the module responsible for execution) in step S23, and the process of FIG. 7 is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the wireless communication module 204 is in a state where it is necessary to execute the task and cannot communicate with the communication destination (in the case of “N”), the detected task data is stored in the storage means in step S24. In step S25, information on the communication destination necessary for execution of the task is stored, and the processing in FIG. 7 is terminated.
Here, when the determination in step S22 is No, there is no expectation of success even if a task that requires data communication with the mediation apparatus 101 or the management apparatus 102 is executed, so execution is not attempted from the viewpoint of processing load. It is preferable to accumulate in Further, while the wireless communication module 204 is in a state where it cannot communicate with a communication destination apparatus necessary for executing the task, it is preferable that no retry is attempted because the stored task is unlikely to succeed.

In addition, when the CPU of the projector device 100 accumulates tasks in the queue, the CPU of the projector 100 monitors the state of the mode control unit 215 as needed, and can communicate with the communication destination stored in step S25 of FIG. In such a case, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is started.
In this process, the state of the mode control unit 215 is referred to in step S31, and the processes in steps S32 and S33 are executed with each task accumulated in the queue being sequentially processed.

That is, in step S32, based on the information referenced in step S31, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication module 204 is in a state in which communication with a communication destination required for executing the task to be processed is possible. If the communication is possible, the task to be processed is executed in step S33. If the communication is not possible, the task is not executed.
Even if the CPU of the projector device 100 executes the processes of FIGS. 7 and 8 described above, if the task that requires data communication is not expected to succeed, the task is not executed unnecessarily. . Further, when communication becomes possible, a task whose execution has been postponed can be executed promptly. Therefore, the same effect as in the case of the processing of FIGS. 5 and 6 can be obtained. Furthermore, since not only the operation mode of the wireless communication module 204 but also the connection state to the network can be considered, it is possible to perform control with more accurate determination of whether communication is possible.

If the task stored in the queue is always a task related to data communication with the same communication destination, the processing of steps S31 and S32 is not necessary in the processing of FIG. This is because, when the processing of FIG. 8 is started, it is considered that communication with a communication destination necessary for executing the task is always possible.
As such a case, for example, a case where only a task for notifying the management apparatus 102 of information via a specific mediation apparatus 101 in order to receive remote management is considered as a processing target in FIG.

Next, FIG. 9 shows an operation example of communication between the projector apparatus 100 and the management apparatus 102 that execute the processes of FIGS. 5 and 6. In this example, it is assumed that the projector device 100 has a mediation function and communicates with the management device 102 without mediation of the mediation device 101.
In the example of FIG. 9, when the task management unit 216 of the projector device 100 detects the occurrence of a task for transmitting periodic communication information to the management device 102 in step S101, the wireless communication is performed with reference to the mode control unit 215 in step S102. The status of the module 204 is grasped. Here, if communication is being performed in the ad hoc mode, the detected task is accumulated in the queue.

In this state, when the user performs an ad hoc mode cancellation operation by operating the remote controller or the main body operator in step S103, the projector device 100 detects this operation as an event that triggers the cancellation of the ad hoc mode in step S104. . In step S105, infrastructure mode communication is established.
In addition, the projector device 100 executes the process of FIG. 7 in response to the event detection in step S104, and executes the task accumulated in step S102, that is, the task of transmitting the periodic communication information to the management device 102 (S106). .
In step S107, the management apparatus 102 receives the periodic notification information. In step S108, the management apparatus 102 updates the information held for the projector apparatus 100 based on the content of the received notification.

Although the description of the embodiment is finished as described above, in the present invention, the specific configuration of each unit, the content of processing, the communication standard to be used, the content of a task, and the like are not limited to those described in the embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the ad hoc method is used as the peer-to-peer communication method and the infrastructure method is used as the client-server communication method has been described. However, specific communication methods are not limited to these.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are preferably applied to an apparatus having only one communication interface that selectively switches between these methods, which cannot simultaneously perform peer-to-peer communication and client-server communication. . However, even a device provided with a plurality of communication interfaces may not be able to perform client-server type communication due to a communication failure or the like. Therefore, at least the processes in FIGS. 7 and 8 are effective. Further, when there is a case where all of a plurality of communication interfaces are used for peer-to-peer type communication and client-server type communication cannot be performed, the processes of FIGS. 5 and 6 are also effective.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to a projector apparatus, and can be configured as an apparatus in which an arbitrary electronic apparatus is provided with the communication function described in the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, gas / water / electricity measuring systems, automobiles, aircraft, general-purpose computers, and the like.

  Of course, the present invention is also applicable to a communication system having no remote management function. The tasks to be processed in FIGS. 5 to 8 are not limited to tasks used for remote management. It is not necessary that the communication partner device is an intermediary device or a management device. A task that requires communication with a partner device other than the partner device that is communicating peer-to-peer can be handled in the same manner as the processing in FIGS. However, it is not essential to handle all such tasks as in the processing of FIGS. The handling may be changed depending on the counterpart device or depending on the type of task (contents of the requested operation).

Further, the program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a communication device having a communication function corresponding to the task management unit 216 described above, and by causing the computer to execute such a program, the program is as described above. Effects can be obtained.
Such a program may be stored in a storage means such as a ROM or HDD provided in the computer from the beginning, but a non-volatile recording such as a CD-ROM or flexible disk, SRAM, EEPROM, memory card or the like as a recording medium. It can also be recorded on a medium (memory) and provided. The above-described processing can be executed by installing the program recorded in the memory in a computer and causing the CPU to execute the program, or by causing the CPU to read and execute the program from the memory.
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.
In addition, it goes without saying that the configurations of the embodiments, operation examples, and modifications described above can be arbitrarily combined and implemented as long as they do not contradict each other.

10: Managed device 11: Managed device with mediation function 31: CPU 32: DRAM 33: Flash ROM 34: Card memory controller 35: Card memory 37: Real time clock circuit (RTC) 38, 601: Modem 39: NCU 40: Wireless NIC 41: NIC 42: Power supply circuit 100: Projector device 101: Mediation device 102: Management device 103: Public line 104: Firewall 111: Dial-up server 112: Internet 200: Controller board 201: HDD 202: NV-RAM 204: Wireless communication module 205: Operation panel 206: Projection engine 207: Power supply unit 208: Lamp 209: Sensor 210: Cooling unit 21 : System control unit 212: User interface unit 213: Counter device communication function unit 214: Counter management device communication function unit 215: Mode control unit 216: Task management unit 602: Communication terminal 603: Proxy server 604: Operator terminal 605: Database 606: Control device

Japanese Patent No. 4163550

Claims (9)

A communication means for selectively switching between a first mode for performing peer-to-peer type communication and a second mode for performing client-server type communication;
Storage means for storing tasks;
When a task requiring data communication with a predetermined external device occurs, the state of the communication means is referred to, and if it is determined that the task is operating in the first mode, the task is attempted to be executed. The task is stored in the storage unit without any problem, and the task management unit executes the task stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the communication unit shifts to the operation in the second mode. A communication device. The communication device according to claim 1,
The communication means is a communication means for automatically starting communication in the second mode when the first mode is canceled,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the task management unit determines that the communication unit shifts to an operation in the second mode when detecting that the first mode is released. The communication device according to claim 1,
The communication means is a communication means for automatically starting communication in the second mode when the first mode is canceled,
The task management unit determines that the communication unit shifts to an operation in the second mode when detecting a predetermined event that triggers cancellation of the first mode. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The communication apparatus, wherein the first mode is a mode for performing ad-hoc mode communication, and the second mode is a mode for performing infrastructure-mode communication. A communication device comprising a communication means,
Storage means for storing tasks;
When a task requiring data communication with an external device occurs, referring to the state of the communication means, and when it is determined that the communication means cannot communicate with the external device based on the referenced state Comprises task management means for storing the task in the storage means without attempting to execute the task,
The task management means includes means for executing a task stored in the storage means when the occurrence of an event that triggers transition to a state in which the communication means can communicate with the external device is detected. Communication device. Communication in a communication apparatus comprising: a communication unit that selectively switches between a first mode that performs peer-to-peer type communication and a second mode that performs client-server type communication; and a storage unit that stores tasks. A method,
When the communication device refers to the state of the communication means when a task requiring data communication with a predetermined external device occurs, and determines that the communication device is operating in the first mode, Storing the task in the storage means without attempting to execute the task;
And a step of executing a task stored in the storage means when the communication means determines to shift to an operation in the second mode. A communication method in a communication device comprising a communication means and a storage means for storing tasks,
The communication device is
When a task requiring data communication with an external device occurs, referring to the state of the communication means, and when it is determined that the communication means cannot communicate with the external device based on the referenced state Storing the task in the storage means without attempting to execute the task;
And a step of executing a task stored in the storage means when the occurrence of an event that triggers transition to a state in which the communication means can communicate with the external device is detected. A computer comprising communication means for selectively switching between a first mode for performing peer-to-peer communication and a second mode for performing client-server communication;
Storage means for storing tasks;
When a task requiring data communication with a predetermined external device occurs, the state of the communication means is referred to, and if it is determined that the task is operating in the first mode, the task is attempted to be executed. And storing the task in the storage unit without causing the communication unit to function as a task management unit that executes the task stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the communication unit shifts to the operation in the second mode. . A computer having communication means;
Storage means for storing tasks;
When a task requiring data communication with an external device occurs, referring to the state of the communication means, and when it is determined that the communication means cannot communicate with the external device based on the referenced state Is a program for functioning as task management means for storing the task in the storage means without attempting to execute the task,
The task management means includes means for executing a task stored in the storage means when the occurrence of an event that triggers transition to a state in which the communication means can communicate with the external device is detected. program.

Images